Social investment priorities

Investing in Our Natural World

Woodland Trust

To improve Our Natural World, we offer social investment to organisations working on nature-based solutions towards: preserved species health and habitats, sustainable and ethical food, and clean and healthy freshwater.

Across our funding, we commit to investing into organisations led by communities experiencing racial inequity, as well as building community wealth.

Preserved species health and habitats

We want to support

Organisations and work delivering impact in line with our priorities:

Areas of interest

There are also specific opportunities we are proactively exploring:

  • Land purchases and project finance for restoration of peat and space for nature, prioritising community ownership models where possible.

Sustainable and ethical food

We want to support

Organisations and work delivering impact in line with our priorities:

Areas of interest

There are also specific opportunities we are proactively exploring:

  • Innovation across the supply chain in agriculture and aquaculture, as well as investment for collaboration, co-operatives and sharing best-practice for nature-friendly farming.

Clean and healthy freshwater

We want to support

Organisations and work delivering impact in line with our priorities:

Areas of interest

There are also specific opportunities we are proactively exploring:

  • Revenue generation from ecosystem services
Unlocking change

Stories

Learn more

Latest

You might be interested in

  • River-Simon2

    Freshwater: Mid-strategy review

    We’re pleased to share a new report exploring changes since our strategy launched, progress made, challenges faced, and recommendations for Esmée and other funders. Simon Wightman, our Funding Manager Lead for Our Natural World, reflects on the findings, what’s next, and the potential impact of the Independent Water Commission’s Final Report.

    Read more
  • Row of houses along a tree-lined path

    Invitation to Tender: Impact Investment deep dive on social and affordable housing in the UK

    We're looking for a provider to develop a practical resource for impact investors, assessing the investment opportunity both through funds and direct investments, which align with the theme of social and affordable housing in the UK.

    Read more
  • The Ooooby team

    Environmental Finance and Learning Fund: increasing the supply of nature-first investment

    Jenny Sansom from Environmental Funders Network and Tom Colborne from Esmée share their reflections on the Environmental Finance and Learning Fund, a three-year initiative to build confidence and skills in environmental investing, and increase the amount of funding for impactful environmental projects.

    Read more